Malta tours & travel

{{productName}}

Floating smack-bang and isolated in the middle of the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, minuscule Malta trots along to a charmingly laid back pace.

A consortium of 3 bite-sized islands containing countless blue water lagoons backed by stunning surrounds, the country presents a beguiling mish-mash of Arabic and European languages, architecture, cuisine and traditions - the legacy of having been alternately raided, invaded, or occupied by virtually every Western power to have attained conquering capacities over the past 2,000 years. Little wonder then that the locals are so versed in sharing their island’s spoils with the latest foreign hordes to reach their shores.

Articles on Malta

Dec 14, 2017

Sep 13, 2017

From outdoor excursions to indoor activities, Malta offers a variety of fun...

Malta travel highlights

Gozo

Take a bike ride through Gozo’s panoramic peaks and fruit tree valleys

Valetta

Visit the magnificent churches and palaces of Valetta

Malta holiday information

At a glance

At a glance

Capital city:

Valletta (population 7,000)

Population:

450,000

Language:

Maltese, English

Currency:

EUR

Time zone:

(GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Electricity:

Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)

Dialing code:

+356

Best time to visit Malta

Best time to visit Malta

Malta’s summer season - stretching from April right through to October - is the best time to visit, with daytime temperatures generally sitting in the high 20s that are tempered by sea breezes along the coast. Over July and August, the temperatures can climb above 30 degrees C - perfect for some, unpleasant for others. From November to March, temperatures range around 16 degrees C and it can be quite rainy in December and January.

Geography and environment

Geography and environment

Malta’s largest island (which goes by the same name) consists of low-lying, hilly and mostly arid terrain covered by terraced fields and bounded by a rugged coastline of coves, harbours and beaches. Gozo is noticeably greener and more densely vegetated, with craggy cliffs and flat-topped hills.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From US?

From UK?

The World Health Organisation

Top 5 Movies Shot in Malta

Top 5 Movies Shot in Malta

1. Gladiator

Fans of Ridley Scott’s historical Roman epic, charting the rise, fall, rise and death of wronged General Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe) will be interested to hear that the scenes of Ancient Rome and the Colosseum were actually shot in neither. Instead, a million dollar replica of the city and its illustrious fighting stadium were constructed and filmed in Malta’s Fort Ricasoli. The film, which dominated the 73rd Academy Awards, included some brilliant scenes of Rusty doing somersaults while battling tigers.

2. Troy

Starring Brad Pitt and Australia’s own Eric Bana, Wolfgang Peterson’s loose adaptation of Homer’s Iliad was shot almost exclusively in Malta’s Mellieha, Fort Ricasoli and on Malta’s sister island Comino. An epic tale of wanton murder and betrayal, fuelled by an illicit royal affair, the film was purportedly produced on a budget of approximately $175 million – making it one of the most expensive ever made. In a damning demonstration that people learn nothing from history, the Turkish town of Canakkale accepted Pitt's gifting of the giant Trojan Horse maquette used in the film.

3. World War Z

When a zombie outbreak threatens the planet’s very existence, United Nations worker Gerry Lane (played by Malta-crazy Brad Pitt) decides to step in. Citing inspiration from All the President’s Men and The Bourne Identity, this 'politically-penetrating apocalyptic horror film' featured scenes shot in Malta’s Valletta, Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea.

4. Orca - The Killer Whale

A captivating piece of 70s filmmaking wizardry, Orca: The Killer Whale tells the tale of a great white shark hunt gone horribly wrong. Captain Nolan, a salty Irish seadog looking to return to the country of his birth, accepts one last job to catch a great white shark for a local aquarium. But just as he is about to catch the shark, which is about to kill a canoeing scientist named Ken, a killer whale appears out of nowhere and kills the shark. Infuriated, Nolan harpoons the whale, but hits the wrong one – the whale's pregnant whale girlfriend! Understandably irate, the canny Orca bachelor now sets out laying waste to the entire fishing village; sinking boats, exploding the community’s fuel reserves, and chomping Nolan’s friend’s leg off when he attacks their seaside dwelling.The final, nail-biting scene, in which the Killer Orca lures Nolan out to the remote polar region of Labrador and sinks his boat by knocking an iceberg into it, was fabricated and filmed off the coast of Malta.

5. Swept Away

Popularly lauded as one of the worst movies ever made, Guy Ritchie’s Swept Away – starring his then-wife Madonna – marked the director’s filmmaking nadir. A right box-office disaster, the film scooped the 2002 Raspberry Awards and was the only movie ever to have won both Worst Picture and Worst remake or Sequel. What the film does have going for it is the setting, with Blue Lagoon, Vittoriosa and Mdina all featuring prominently as the stunning backdrop to the mismatched couple’s shipwrecked shenanigans.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Title

Author

The Kappillan of Malta

Nicholas Monsarrat

Earthly Powers

Anthony Burgess

Death in Malta

Rosanne Dingli

The Jukebox Queen of Malta

Nicholas Rinaldi

Ricasoli Soldier: A Novel Inspired by True Events

Joe Scicluna

Malta travel FAQs

A service charge isn't generally included in restaurant bills. If the food and service has been good, adding a few Euros to the bill is the norm. Likewise for taxis (which won’t generally run their meter).

The water is safe to drink in Malta, though it may taste a little brackish as it’s desalinated sea water. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Top responsible travel tips for Malta

1. Be considerate of Malta’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.

2. The tap water is considered safe to drink, so for environmental reasons try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill and refill a reusable water bottle or canteen instead.

3. Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts.

4. Learn some local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple greetings will help break the ice.

5. Shop for locally made products. Supporting local artisans helps keep traditional crafts alive and supports the local community.